NOTE: We have amended the original post to include an expanded scenery pack and route. All changes to the original post will be highlighted in red text.
It is time for the Bush Hooligans to return to Alaska and spend some time exploring our friend LPNil’s new Alaskan backcountry playground. This talented developer has become a regular in the Bush League Series and we are sure you will enjoy his latest creation along the Alsek River.
As usual, Nils has chosen a wonderful area to discover. The Tongass National Forest is full of glaciers and lakes; rivers and ridglines. He has wonderfully crafted a series of dirt strips and gravel bars that will challenge even the most experienced bush pilot.
Pack your best topo map, hop in your favorite dirty bird, and join us for an Alaskan adventure worthy of another Bush League Backcountry Fly-In.
Bush League Reminders:
- Everyone is welcome. Whether you’re an expert or beginner with flight simulators, radio communications, or navigation, etc., you’re invited! We’re a friendly bunch and enjoy learning from each other.
- All of the scenery and recommended aircraft is based on X-Plane 11.5.
- The best aircraft for these events are those that can handle short, narrow airstrips. STOL mods are not mandatory, but helpful.
- We encourage you to join the VATSIM network and use the CTAF frequency of 122.8 to announce positions.
- We’ll also use the Downwindsim Discord voice channel during the flight for non-ATC related chit-chat.
- As always, the main goal of these flights is to have fun. The event is intended to be VFR, so you are free to configure your weather and time of day as you see fit. NOTE: This time of year is rather dark in Alaska almost all day long. Pilots are encouraged to change not only the weather, but time and date to something appropriate to facilitate a VFR backcountry event.
Flight Information:
The event takes place on Monday, January 4th. All pilots should plan to meet in the DownwinSim Discord voice channel for a short flight briefing at 8:05pm EST with departures immediately following.
The starting point for our fly-in will be PAYA Yakutat. Along the way you will have a variety of airstrips and off airport landing areas to negotiate before returning to Yakutat. Here is what to look for:
Alsek River Scenery Pack from LPNils
A57 Alsek River (do not use XP default AK75)
3AK Dry Bay
AK76 East Alsek River
A69 Tanis Mesa
PAYA Yakutuk, A68 Situk and Yakutat Glacier Camps from DownwindSim
A67 Harlequin Lake from MelvinLeroy (X-Plane lists this airstrip as AK67)
Organize the route that most interests you. LPNils included a map in his download to show you the location of the airstrips and various gravel bars he has modeled. Word has it, DownwindSim has included the usual Easter Egg (or two) in his sceneries. In addition, you are in close proximity to several glaciers, mountains, and lakes that you should definitely explore.
X-Plane simmers who utilze Orthoscenery should plan to work on tiles +59-139 and +59-140. Arc Imagery and Viewfinderpanorama custom_dem provide good results.
Those flying in MSFS will find the airstrips rendered quite well in the default, although you will not see any of the custom objects LPNils includes in the X-Plane version of the scenery. In addition, the gravel bars may not render quite as well.
The event concludes at 11:00pm EST, but you can continue your flight as long as you desire.